Today’s Garden Ideas | Growing Tulipsâ€”Bulbs of Beauty

Growing Tulipsâ€”Bulbs of Beauty

Growing Tulips At A Glance

Growing Tulips isn’t difficult at all. Tulips are the flower of spring, full of warmth, color, and smiles. They come in a myriad of hues and varieties. Tulips can be as simple as the single flower we commonly associate with this bloom or as exotic as the fringed and frilled Parrot Tulip. Their colors range from the common ruby red to the deep purplish-black of â€˜Queen of the Nightâ€™.

Where to Plant

Tulips look best when they are the main focus of your garden. Plant them in groups along garden borders or clumped together within flower garden beds. Tulips also look lovely by their own in a pot sitting on your front step. Or try planting Tulip bulbs in window boxes attached to the front of your home.

Plant Tulip bulbs in groups under trees. The trees with keep the sun from beating down on these blooms. This will help the Tulips last longer.

Or place some bulbs strategically in a rock garden. A few groupings of the â€˜Red Emperorâ€™ Tulip will look quite striking popping up amongst the gray rocks.

Plant Buddies

Plant a large group of Tulips along with some smaller blooms for a dramatic effect. Indigo blue Forget-me-nots will look awesome against the pink of â€˜Clara Buttâ€™ Tulips.

Place â€˜Black Diamondâ€™ Tulips with their deep purple color with

some lavendar or yellow Pansies. The Pansies have gold or black accents that really create an amazing contrast in color.

Also try growing flowers with similar colors to your Tulips. Primulas have the same bright colors and do well with a bed of Tulips. Try combining the orange â€˜Abraâ€™ Tulip, the tangerine â€˜Daydreamâ€™ Tulip, and the bright yellow â€˜Golden Emperorâ€™ Tulip with Primulas of the same colors. This will create one firey looking garden!

Purchasing & Planting Tulip Bulbs

Tulip bulbs should be purchased in the fall. Or, you can pre-order them from catalogs in the spring or summer. You want to be sure your Tulip bulbs have no black spots or cracks. Also do not purchase bulbs that have any growth or show signs of mold.

In fall dig large holes approximately 8 inches deep. If you want to leave your Tulip bulbs in the soil and not dig them up seasonally plant them about 2 inches deeper. Add sand to your hold for drainage. Mix in some bone meal. Put your Tulip bulbs about 4 inches apart in the hole with their tips pointing up. Cover the tulips with soil and tamp down well to prevent the tulips from moving. Water the Tulip bulbs and cover with about 2 inches of mulch. In dry areas water frequently.

Seasonal Care

In early fall in cool areas plant your bulbs. Cover your newly planted bulbs with mulch. In warmer climates place your Tulip bulbs in the refrigerator for about 8-10 weeks. Keep your bulbs away from any fruit in your refrigerator.

For warmer climates plant your bulbs mid-winter. Water well and frequently if dry.

In spring remove the faded flowers. Allow the foliage to die naturally.

Remove your bulbs in early summer and store in a cool dark place. If you choose to keep your bulbs in the ground fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer.

Growing Tips

Tulips prefer light shade or sun. Plant Tulips in partial shade if you live in a warmer climate. Make sure the soil is well-drained and does not water log. As Tulips are planted rather deep in the soil other bulbs can be planted on top of them. Try adding Grape Hyacinths to your Tulip garden.

If you notice your Tulips are not blooming it may be because the bulbs are overcrowded. Dig up your Tulips in late spring after the foliage has almost died down. Divide by pulling small bulblets from the base of the main bulb. Replant them separately.

Quick Tips

Growing Tulips is easy and they are very resistant to disease. Tulips flower from early to late spring. They grow best in zones 3-8 in full sun or light shade. Tulips prefer well drained soil. They can spread up to 12 inches wide and grow 30 inches tall.